Povidone-iodine neonatal ophthalmic antimicrobial prophylactic agent

Abstract

A composition for neonatal ophthalmic prophylactic and a method of applying the composition. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of povidone-iodine having a concentration ranging from 5 percent to 0.1 percent. The composition of this invention prevents conjunctivitis caused by gonococus and other bacteria including chlamydia, as well as viruses and fungi.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for neonatal ophthalmic prophylaxis comprising: contacting the eyes of a human neonate with an aqueous solution of consisting essentially of povidone-iodine having a concentration between 5 percent and 0.1 percent thereby preventing infection with Neisseria gonorrhea or Chlamydia trachomatis.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the total concentration is between 0.1 percent and 2.0 percent. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein the total concentration is between 0.75 percent and 1.5 percent. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, including a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution is substantially liquid. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 including the step of placing between 1 to 6 drops of a liquid povidone-iodine solution in each neonatal eye. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 including the step of placing between one and two drops of povidone-iodine solution in each neonatal eye. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1 including the step of placing an effective amount of povidone-iodine containing gel in each neonatal eye. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 1 including the step of placing an effective amount of povidone-iodine containing ointment in each neonatal eye. 
     
     
       10. A method for neonatal prophylaxis comprising: contacting the eyes of a human neonate with a non-irritating aqueous solution consisting essentially of povidone:iodine having a concentration in range of between 2.5 percent and 0.1 prevent thereby preventing infection with Neisseria gonorrhoea or Chlamydia trachomatis.